"Cowboy Knives"
 

Last summer I jumped into the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS). Part of the enjoyment is the 'costuming' nature of the competition. Overall, CAS is like modern day 3-gun competition but without the steroid rage and scary black firearms.

I am looking for some a decent period-correct knife that will fit on a 2 1/2 or 3 inch leather pistol belt and a decent period-correct leather sheath but I don't really know anything about "knives" that extends past what tools are useful on a Leatherman or how to keep a modern hunting/skinner sharp and clean.

What is a good starting spot for a decent Old West cowboy knife?

Box, Depending on your outfit, Green River Knives may fit the bill. Finding a butcher knife you like would only require a sheath being made. Good luck!

Respectfully,

Bob

Utah Bob is into CSA.
Need to poke him up some.. :D


Don't forget a folder. Look for "equestrian" or one with a hoof hook.

Some guys favor a bigass Bowie just for style points but I think they get in the way. I prefer this one a fella in Maine made for me out of an old saw blade. It's got a 6 1\2" blade and comes in handy for cutting patches, leather and for removing the occasional stuck cartridge case.
here are several vendors that handle knives like Dixie Gun Works https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/...s+%26+Sheaths/
and Track of the Wolf https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=knife



And go here for fun.
http://sassvets.homestead.com/index.html

removing the occasional stuck cartridge case - that is the utility I am looking for - with whatever possible style points I can collect along the way

most of the cowboys here in NM and AZ either carry a big ass Bowie or utility knives like the Green River's here is a photo of the most common. Go to Tandy and get some leather and you are setup in 30 min.

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Looking tghrough those knives, I'm sure he'd be really popular with the crowd if he came moseying in and proudly stated, "Considering all of my options out there, I decided to buy a 6-inch Stiff Boner from my local guy!" (Let alone going for the 8" wide boner!!!) :eek:

Wow
 

Easy now, no need to go overboard with the boasting.......:eek:

As previously noted, you'll probably have to make your own sheath if you want something "authentic". The best local leather source for us is Zack White's in Ramseur (https://www.zackwhite.com/). If you have any interest in leather work, it's well worth the one hour (+/-) drive. Saturdays before noon or training holidays work best with our schedules. You might have to exercise restraint when you get there given the options available - patterns and materials for everything from the afore mentioned knife sheaths to chaps, gauntlets, gun belts, holsters, etc., etc. They've even been known to stock genuine rawhide lariats.

The skinner is along the lines of what I'd like. Just enough to use as a cowboy accessory - but still useful as a skinner. Bowie knives are to bulky for what I need and I wouldnt know what to do with an 8' boner if I had one. I'd probably just hurt myself playing with it.

I do like those green river knives - thanks for the heads up.

Contact "Barbarian" from this site. Every knife he's made for me were precisely what I asked for, and didn't break the bank.👌

A friend who's been shooting SASS for many years has one whose configuration is exactly that 5-1/4" skinner shown above. I don't shoot SASS but have a knife like that anyway. It's shown itself to be really useful for a variety of tasks, and short enough not to be in the way.

Box

Check your PMs

Google is your friend. Image search, cowboy knives 1880's. Lots of fellow period gun builders, knife makers, and friends @contemporarylongrifleassociation.

Box
If you want you can have my skinner. It has patina and a history. I made the sheath in 74. It has seen some use and skinned a lot of deer, elk, etc.

It just gathering dust on the shelf now and could use a good home.

Let me know......

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